Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…

C. That is because the Understanding conceiveth that another thing is best; and so it is necessitated by the Understanding.

B. The Understanding guideth, but doth not necessitate. That we Will rightly is caused by the Understanding (as that I hit the way is by my eye-sight) but not that I exercise the Act it self. Though we Will not without or against the last strongest dictate of the practical Intellect; yet 1. Note that the Intellect hath divers perceptions at once (which is not commonly noted). It doth at once act a deep simple apprehension that e. g. bonum sensible is pleasant, and good, and amiable; and that bonum spiritual which cometh into competition, is yet better, may be at the same time perceived, with so low, dull and weak an apprehension, as that the Will may tenaciously so adhere to the first simple apprehension by a strong simple Volition, as that the second weak comparate apprehension may not move it to Election. 2. For we find that it is not the objective truth of an apprehension which turneth the Will, without some answerable clearness and liveliness▪ And as a Preacher that dreamingly speaketh of great things uncontrollably, but coldly, moveth not the hearers, so is it with the Intellect it self. And 3. The Will being principium exercitii can hinder the Understanding from perceiving truth, by hindering it from thinking of the evidence. 4. And the Will it self can suspend its own act, contrary to the understandings sluggish dictate. And not acting when it can (towards God, and true goodness,) is the beginning of all the disorders of the Soul.

B. The Understanding guideth, but doth not necessitate. That we Will rightly is caused by the Understanding (as that I hit the way is by my eye-sight) but not that I exercise the Act it self. Though we Will not without or against the last strongest dictate of the practical Intellect; yet 1. Note that the Intellect hath divers perceptions at once (which is not commonly noted). It doth at once act a deep simple apprehension that e. g. bonum sensible is pleasant, and good, and amiable; and that bonum spirituale which cometh into competition, is yet better, may be at the same time perceived, with so low, dull and weak an apprehension, as that the Will may tenaciously so adhere to the first simple apprehension by a strong simple Volition, as that the second weak comparate apprehension may not move it to Election. 2. For we find that it is not the objective truth of an apprehension which turneth the Will, without some answerable clearness and liveliness And as a Preacher that dreamingly speaketh of great things uncontroulably, but coldly, moveth not the hearers, so is it with the Intellect it self. And 3. The Will being principium exercitii can hinder the Understanding from perceiving truth, by hindering it from thinking of the evidence. 4. And the Will it self can suspend its own act, contrary to the understandings fluggish dictate. And not acting when it can (towards God, and true goodness,) is the beginning of all the disorders of the Soul.